The Inauguration

The Presidential Inauguration was broadcast live here at 4 in the afternoon: 16:00. It was covered on Sky News, and on the BBC network, but I chose to watch it on CNN, because I wanted to hear Americans commenting on the proceedings - not British announcers.

I couldn't help compare the ceremony with some I've seen here. The British have lavish uniforms and costumes, top hats and jeweled crowns, and elaborate horse-drawn carriages. They have historical and beautiful architecture. They have royalty and aristocracy. Tradition and ceremony is built into the fabric of their daily lives - at Buckingham Palace and at Parliament. They usually perform their ceremonies soberly, without smiling or showing emotion, much like the guards at Buckingham Palace.

And there was our inauguration. It was like a party for all of the several million people standing outside in the freezing weather -- almost all grinning. Everyone was celebrating the fact that this was a black man we had elected as president; look how far we had come from that society that practiced slavery. Our American 'royalty' - the ex-presidents, members of the congress, and well-known show business personalities, were all present. Rather than sitting, stone-faced, they smiled, shook hands, waved and greeted those around them. When Aretha Franklin sang "My Country Tis of Thee" as a soul song, I wondered what British listeners would think of her rendition, knowing that it is the same melody as "God Save The Queen."

There were inspirational prayers and speeches -- reminding us of what it means to be an American. Many of us come from somewhere else, we belong to different ethnic groups and to different religions and different social classes, but we all live together struggling to be tolerant and fair towards each other. It does get messy sometimes, but it is a beautiful dream to follow.

Of course, Barack Obama's speech was best of all --that of a true leader. He called us all to action, claiming our forefathers had come through bad times earlier, and we could do the same now. He also addressed countries around the world, opening some doors, but at the same time establishing entrance requirements. I think he faces formidable forces - both at home and abroad - and I hope he succeeds. I do believe he has the intelligence and skills to succeed.

I may be wrong, but I do not believe that in the U.K., a Barack Obama could have risen so fast and been elected, despite his superior intelligence and leadership skills. I think there is still too much social class structure to be navigated in this country. All of that tradition and pomp may just get in the way.

As I watched this inauguration, I felt that even though it did not have all the formality or dignity of a high-level British ceremony - it did convey a freshness, and a strength, and a feeling of hope that came directly from the people - from the leaders on the stage, who spoke from the heart, and from all those millions of people who chose to stand in the cold and welcome Obama to the presidency. It was a very emotional experience for me--and I felt proud to be an American.